I hope you have enjoyed our blog posts on various health, nutritional and injury related topics. Please don't hesitate in calling us or myself if you have questions when the need to seek care arises. Call the office or myself. Office 915-850-0900 - Cell 915-540-8444 Great Regards. Dr. J

Endocannabinoid System And The Human Body

The endocannabinoid system's discovery has created debate on its conclusions on human health. Because of its capability to target various therapeutic agents that are in different states of disease has piqued interest for researchers.

Some researchers suggest the endocannabinoid system plays a vital role in cellular homeostasis. This could mean that the health of this system could affect the health of the whole body.

What is the endocannabinoid system and why is it important?

This article reviews the basics of the endocannabinoid system and its role in cardiovascular and neurological health and specifically, endocannabinoid system deficiency and the adverse effects on the other body's systems.

Endocannabinoid System & What It Consists Of

The endocannabinoid system is comprised of two receptors and a series of internally produced compounds. The two main receptors in the endocannabinoid system are the CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Endocannabinoid comes from the fact that cannabinoids from the cannabis plant interact with receptors in the endocannabinoid system. There are many endocannabinoids, the most widely known and studied is;

AEA increases in times of oxidative stress, inflammation or cell death. Researchers believe that it may be produced as a response to injury when counteracting inflammatory activity. This activity could be the evidence of the systems role in cellular homeostasis.

CB1 and CB2 receptors are found throughout the body. CB1 receptors are primarily found in the nervous system, while CB2 receptors are primarily found in intestinal epithelium cells and immune system cells.

CB1 receptors predominantly interact with THC and other psychoactive compounds from the cannabis plant. This is a logical find because the CB1 receptors are found primarily in the nervous system. This interaction of CB1 receptors and THC could cause certain changes in brain chemistry, which leads to the euphoric feeling produced from cannabis use.

CB2 receptors interact with cannabidiol (CBD) which is a secondary major compound in cannabis. This does not mean that CBD does not interact with CB1 receptors ever, but because these interactions are quite uncommon they are considered unimportant. Because CBD does not have compelling interaction with CB1 receptors, the psychoactive effects from THC are not present.

Both cannabinoid compounds have therapeutic potential. Studies have found these compounds help control chronic inflammation in conditions like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

THC use in modulating endocannabinoid system deficiency has been very limited because of its psychoactive properties. Because of this, THC has become rejected in many U.S. states, the U.S federal government, and in conservative countries around the world. Researchers refrain from investigating its therapeutic properties or recommending it, as an alternative medicine.

Cannabinoid Research Marches On Despite THC Affects

CBD contains the same therapeutic properties as THC, without the psychoactive effects. CBD is under extensive research, as a compound that can help with various diseases and their progression. This has led researchers to create synthetic compounds that mimic CBD and its interaction with CB2 receptors.

However, activation of the endocannabinoid system's CB2 receptors may have cardioprotective properties. Certain animal studies show how the use of synthetic cannabinoids interacting with CB2 receptors could beneficial for heart attacks. This comes from their ability to limit infiltration of cells that cause inflammation by CB2 activation.

The Clinical Significance

The difference between CBD and THC:

THC use, as a therapeutic agent could increase risk of cardiovascular incidents from interaction with CB1 receptors. But CBD also interacts with CB2 receptors and is possible that administration of CBD could lead to cardioprotective effects.

Adult neurogenesis, brain health and the endocannabinoid system

Various research reports show neural-progenitor cells produce endocannabinoids in time of injury and stress. This stimulates cell division in the brain, especially in areas like the hippocampus and sub-ventricles. This division is believed to be produced through interaction of endocannabinoids and CB1 receptors.

Other reports have shown CB1 deficient mice have a decreased ability in neural progenitor cell division when a nervous system injury occurs. This could mean CB1 deficient mice have less of a chance to recover from stroke or other type of brain injury compared to mice with CB1 at normal levels.

AEA, for example, induces astroglial proliferation in mice. Astroglia are star-shaped neurons thought to be extremely important for brain structure and protection. These are found in various areas like the blood brain barrier. Pharmacological stimulation of CB1 using synthetic cannabinoids has lead to neurogenesis or new growth of nervous tissue.

Can Synthetic Cannabinoids Be Beneficial For Brain Health

Synthetic cannabinoids could be beneficial not just for brain injuries, but could also be utilized as an antidepressant. The synthetic cannabinoid HU210 has been used for this purpose from its ability to modulate the endocannabinoid system and increase neural growth.

Recent studies show that CB1-deficient mice tend to suffer from early age related cognitive impairment or a noticeable and measurable decline in cognitive abilities, which include memory and thinking skills. This could be because CB1 deficient mice cannot regenerate cells in the nervous system, making them succumb faster to age related cellular death. But this is a perfect example of endocannabinoid system deficiencies, which could lead to detrimental effects in humans.

As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities.

We've been blessed to use our methods with thousand of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs.

Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living.

With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age or disability.

My treatment with Dr. Alex Jimenez has been helping me by simply making me less tired. I’m not experiencing as many headaches. The headaches are going down dramatically and my back feels much better. I would highly recommend Dr. Alex Jimenez. He’s very friendly, his staff is very friendly and everybody goes well beyond what they can do to help you. – Shane Scott

A majority of the populations has suffered from this well-known nagging health issue, however, did you know that headaches can sometimes be caused by neck pain? While these headaches are commonly referred to as as cervicogenic headaches, other types of headaches, such as cluster headaches and even migraines, have also been determined to be caused by neck pain. Neck pain can develop due to a variety o

El Paso, TX. Chiropractor, Dr. Alexander Jimenez takes a look at seizures, epilepsy and treatment options. Seizures are defined as, abnormal movements or behavior from unusual electrical activity in the brain. Seizures are a symptom of epilepsy but not all who have seizures have epilepsy. As there is a group of related disorders characterized by…

Chiropractic care is a drug-free, nonsurgical treatment for many types of conditions and to help manage pain. As more and more medical professionals are recognizing its effectiveness and viability for treating many issues in the body, chiropractic is gaining popularity and becoming the treatment of choice for many patients with chronic pain, back problems and…

Shane Scott was involved in an automobile accident when he heard about Dr. Alex Jimenez, chiropractor, from a friend. After experiencing headache, neck and low back pain, several days after the incident, Shane Scott’s quality of life, especially as a new father, was tremendously affected. Thankfully, treatment with Dr. Alex Jimenez has helped Shane Scott…

TMJ dysfunction: The temporomandibular joints, TMJ, are the lower jaw hinges that sit on either side of the head in front of each ear. They are responsible for the lower jaw opening, closing, sliding, and rotating. The TMJs are the most body’s most complex joints. The typical person uses them more than 5,000 times a…

One of my friends recommended me, over and over, and just extended how good he (Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C.) was. So I gave it a shot. I had really bad sciatica and it was killing me, I couldn’t walk, but he has been helping me out, I can walk now… I couldn’t walk more than 25 yards, it (sciatica) was really affecting me. I had to get some help. I can’t say enough about Dr. Jimenez, he’s been helping me out, I can walk.

Edgar M. Reyes

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, approximately 75 to 85 percent of individuals in the United States alone will experience some form of back pain throughout their lifetime, where 50 percent will suffer more than one episode within a year. Back pain is one of the most common complaints frequently reported among the general population and it is often a symptom whi

Many headaches that people classify as migraines are actually not migraines at all. Two of the most common headaches confused with migraines are sinus headaches and occipital neuralgia. The condition can be debilitating but there are treatments, including chiropractic, that are very effective. Understanding occipital neuralgia can help patients better manage it so they can…

Special Clinic News & Events

Dr. Alex Jimenez looks into the results of various case studies. These are the testimonies of various patients that allowed themselves and their conditions/disorders to be studied, analyzed and ultimately corrected through chiropractic manipulation. The data has been compiled in order to educate by bringing knowledge and insight to those that may be skeptical about chiropractic medicine.

These patient testimonies detail Dr. Jimenez’s step by step procedure of what goes into a chiropractic/rehabilitation treatment program. If he feels an individual needs other treatment, then he will refer the individual to the appropriate clinic or physician that is best suited for the ailment. Dr. Jimenez has teamed with the top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers and premiere rehabilitation providers to bring El Paso the top clinical treatments.

These treatments focus on what works for the individual. We also strive to promote fitness and better the body through researched methods and wellness programs. These programs are natural, and use the body’s own ability to achieve goals of improvement, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, surgery, or addictive medications.

Click Below for more case studies and patient insights and recantations.

As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities.

We've been blessed to use our methods with thousand of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs.

Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living.

With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age or disability.